Monthly Archives: December 2016

Pioneer Pro DJ Announces the New DDJ-SZ2

Pioneer DJ has upgraded their flagship Serato DJ controller to create the DDJ-SZ2. Use the new DDJ-SZ2 4-channel controller to get hands-on with the latest additions to Serato DJ, including key shift, key sync, pitch play and Serato Flip. The multi-colored Performance Pads give you instant feedback on pad modes and playing statuses, and thanks to the improved jog wheel latency, scratching is more responsive and precise than ever.

To help you get the most out of the controller, the DDJ-SZ2 comes bundled with the latest version of Serato DJ. The Pitch ‘n Time DJ and Serato Flip expansion packs are also included so you can use several new features including pitch play and key sync.

The DDJ-SZ2 will be available in the U.S.A. and Canada in January 2017, with a retail price of $1,999.00.

Watch the DDJ-SZ2 introduction video.

Learn more about the DDJ-SZ2 controller for Serato DJ.

FREE SERATO VIDEO EXPANSION PACK PROMOTION

Pioneer is putting a voucher for a free Serato Video expansion pack in the boxes of the first 3,000 DDJ-SZ2 controllers that they ship worldwide. This comes along with the Serato DJ, Pitch ‘n Time DJ and Serato Flip expansion packs bundled with the controller as standard, so if you’re one of the first DJs to buy the DDJ-SZ2, you’ll have full control of audio and video performances.

KEY FEATURES OF THE DDJ-SZ2

 

  1. Layout mirrors CDJ-style set-up

Mix and scratch instinctively on the controller, which looks and feels similar to a full professional CDJ + DJM set-up.

  • Big Jogs: Scratching feels natural on the big jog wheels taken from the CDJ-2000NXS2, and the illuminating On-Jog Display gives you information about the current playback status and position for more precise performances. Jog Feeling Adjust, also from the CDJ series, lets you customize the resistance and backspin time.
  • Multi-colored Performance Pads: Use the large, multi-colored tactile Performance Pads to trigger Hot Cues, samples and FX. Hit the pads harder to increase the volume of samples and watch their colors change as they indicate the selected pad mode and playing status.
  • DJM-style mixer section: Stay in control at all times thanks to the simple layout of the mixer section which mirrors the design of the DJM series.

 

  1. Dual USB port for smooth DJ changeovers

Dual USB ports lets you hookup two computers at the same time and use the top-loaded A/B switch for seamless DJ transitions.

 

  1. Native support and dedicated controls for new Serato DJ features
  • Key shift, key sync and pitch play: Use dedicated controls to trigger the new key shift and key sync functions in Serato DJ, which let you adjust the key of tracks and sync the keys of tracks during mixes. Pitch play lets you play your Hot Cues across a range of different keys and assign them to the controller’s Performance Pads.
  • Serato Flip: Create and save Hot Cue sequences to make custom edits of your tracks and use the dedicated Serato Flip controls to play them back at the touch of a button. Get even more creative by skipping or repeating track sections on the fly.

 

  1. Professional performance features and FX
  • Sound Color FX: Spice up your sets with the four popular Sound Color FX from our DJM series; Echo, Jet, Pitch and Filter. You can sync Echo with the BPM of the track that’s playing.
  • Oscillator: Add texture and tension to your tracks with the four oscillator sounds; Noise, Drop, Laser and Siren. Turn the oscillator parameter knob to create new tones.

 

  1. Magvel crossfader

The Magvel crossfader – taken from the club standard DJM-900NXS2 – is the ultimate to mix and scratch with. Accurate and smooth, it’s durable for more than 10 million movements and is liquid and dust resistant.

 

  1. High-quality sound

Hear your tracks loud and clear thanks to the audio circuit inherited from professional Pioneer DJ gear. Contact resistance is reduced by the AC inlet, and the high-performance D/A converter made by Cirrus Logic, Inc., and low jitter oscillator mean the DDJ-SZ2 reproduces clear and powerful sound that’s faithful to its source.

 

  1. Other features
  • Plug and play: Simply connect your laptop and start mixing via Serato DJ. All buttons and controls, as well as the built-in sound card, are Serato DJ-ready.
  • Aluminium-finished top panel and jog wheels: For a quality look and feel.
  • Slip Mode: Silently keeps a track playing during a loop, scratch or Hot Cue. Release the jog wheel and the track comes back at exactly the right place.
  • Needle search pad: Instantly jump to a specific part of a track with a simple touch of the pad.
  • Peak limiter: Controls clipping of the master output.
  • P-Lock Fader Cap: Locks all fader knobs to prevent dropping

 

 DDJ-SZ2 SPECIFICATIONS

 

  DDJ-SZ2
Software Serato DJ
Input ports CD/Line x 4 (RCA)
Phono x 2 (RCA)

MIC x 2

(XLR & ¼-inch TRS Jack x 1, ¼-inch TRS Jack x 1)

Output ports Master Out x 2
(RCA x 1, XLR x 1),
Booth Out x 1 (¼-inch Stereo Phone Jack)

Headphone Monitor Out x 2
(Front ¼-inch TRS Jack,

3.5 mm Stereo Mini Jack)

Other ports USB (Type B) x 2
Sampling Rate 44.1 kHz
D/A Converter 24-bit
A/D Converter 24-bit
Frequency response 20Hz ~ 20kHz (LINE)
Total Harmonic Distortion ratio 0.002% or less (USB)

0.004% or less (LINE)

S/N ratio 111 dB or above (USB)
Headroom 19 dB
Maximum dimensions

(W×H×D)

870 x 98.4 x 419.5 mm (34.3 x 3.9 x 16.5 in)
Unit weight 10.7 kg (23.6 lbs)

 SERATO DJ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Compatible OS
(Windows®)
Windows® 10, 8.1, 7 (The latest service pack)
Compatible OS
(Mac)
macOS Sierra 10.12, OS X 10.11, 10.10, 10.9 (Updated to the latest version)
CPU (32/64 bit) Intel® processer CoreTM i7, i5 or above
Memory 4GB or more of RAM

Serato Video requires a graphics card with 384MB of dedicated video memory

Display resolution Resolution of 1280 x 720 or greater

* Serato DJ is a registered trademark of Serato Audio Research Ltd.

* Windows is a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

* Mac and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

* Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

* The names of companies, product names, and technology names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

 About Pioneer DJ

Pioneer DJ Americas, Inc. is the subsidiary of Pioneer DJ Corporation responsible for sales and marketing in North, Central, and South America. For more than 20 years, Pioneer DJ has been a market leader in the design and production of innovative DJ equipment and software. The company works closely with DJs and clubs to deliver next generation products that inspire and shape the global dance music community. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pioneer Professional Audio and Pioneer DJ Radio, rekordbox dj software, as well as social platforms KUVO and DJsounds. Pioneer DJ Corporation is a privately held company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan.